If you know me, you know I am persistent – not a nag, but definitely persistent. I also think that “No” is just the start of the conversation. These two characteristics came in very handy when I first met Angela Sitilides, owner of Bellacara. I loved her story… a lawyer who decided to instead do what she loves, and opened a fabulous beauty boutique (she now has two locations in Northern Virginia), and decided to visit Bellacara unannounced and bring her some Alchimie Forever products to try. Two weeks later, I stopped by again to get her feedback. “I don’t like your products” she said. “No problem, why don’t I bring you one of our men’s products for your husband,” I responded. And so our relationship started, as her husband fell in love with our aftershave gel. Thus, she became one of my first customers.
AP: What city were you born in? AS: Palm Springs, California.
AP: What city to do you live in? AS: McLean, Virginia.
AP: What is your middle name? AS: Beth.
AP: What is your astrological sign? AS: Leo.
AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? AS: I love interior design and if I wasn’t in the beauty business, I’d be an interior designer.
AP: What is your most prized possession? AS: My wedding ring.
AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? AS: Dead or Alive? So many choices. Jesus….lots of questions!
AP: Describe your fashion style in three words maximum. AS: Classic, Fresh, Sophisticated.
AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? AS: I have a Rolex, but I never seem to wear it.
AP: Diamonds or pearls? AS: Diamonds, definitely.
AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? AS: Serums, layers of serums.
AP: What fragrance do you wear? AS: Acqua Santa by Linari.
AP: Botox or not? AS: Not…yet…never say never.
AP: Hair color: natural or not? AS: Not; are there any natural blondes over 40?
AP: What are your special diet tips, if any? AS: Keep it in check during the week, splurge on the weekend, back on the wagon on Monday.
AP: What do you do for exercise? AS: Walk, Zumba class, weights, and I am thinking about adding a barre class.
AP: What are three things that you always have in your fridge? AS: Egg whites, sparkling water, and strawberries.
AP: What is your cocktail of choice? AS: Pomegranate Martini.
AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? AS: Home is more important. When that is running smoothly, work is easier.
AP: How many miles do you fly per year on average? AS: Less than 2,500.
AP: What are your three top tips for travel? AS: 1. Pack your bag, then take 6 things out of it. 2. Take an ipad or tablet with you. Long layovers or delays are less dreadful if you can catch up on work or watch a movie. 3. Drink lots of water. You’ll step off the plane refreshed if you stay hydrated.
AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. AS: 1. Skyfall by Adele. 2. So What by Pink. 3. I Want You Back by Cher Lloyd.
AP: What book are you reading right now? AS: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
AP: Quote to live by. AS: “Whatever it is…do it today. Life passes you by while you’re waiting for the right time.”
AP: What is your worst pet peeve? AS: People who walk around with their cell phones attached to their ears and ignore human interaction.
AP: What time do you usually wake up in the morning, and how many hours of sleep do you usually get? AS: I wake up at 6:30 am and try to get a full 7 and a half hours of sleep.
AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? AS: Helping people feel good about themselves.
AP: Least favorite thing. AS: Beauty advertising. Those lashes on the mascara commercial are fake. I can help you have beautiful lashes, but no mascara is going to give you those lashes.
AP: Who is your mentor? AS: I would have to say an old friend of my Aunt’s named David Arnopole. He was an attorney and I looked up to him a great deal when I was a child. I went to law school because of him and if I hadn’t had that legal background, I wouldn’t have had the courage to start Bellacara.
AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. AS: Figure out what you are passionate about and make that your career. It is very difficult to leave a lucrative career once you’re in it, even if you hate it. So make your passion that career and work to make it lucrative.
